A JURY in the trial of two men who insist they did not try to kill a man who was attacked and left seriously injured in Kendal has retired to start its deliberations.
Luke Peter Canning, aged 22, of Bridge Street, Burneside, and 26-year-old Jordan Lee Jenkinson, of Lound Road in Kendal, both deny attempting to murder Richard Wilkinson following an incident at the town’s Waterside just before 2am on March 30.
Jurors at Carlisle Crown Court have heard 33-year-old Mr Wilkinson sustained facial and rib fractures, and was struck at least 31 times to his head and body during violence seen by several eyewitnesses.
The prosecution claims Mr Wilkinson was the victim of a revenge attack after he head-butted Canning outside a Kendal pub and armed himself with a metal bar which was then taken and used against him.
Canning admits he repeatedly struck Mr Wilkinson – who recalls nothing and made a good recovery – with the bar at a time he was “angry” and “wasn’t thinking straight”. But, asked by his barrister, Rachel Woods, whether he was trying to murder Mr Wilkinson, Canning replied: “No. I would never dream of doing such a thing.”
Jenkinson admitted lashing out violently at weapon-wielding Mr Wilkinson but only in self-defence after he was attacked himself. “I was fearing for my own life,” stated Jenkinson.
After barristers delivered closing speeches, Judge James Adkin gave legal directions to the jury of six men and six women, and today (WED) summed up evidence in the case. “You will have to decide where the truth lies in this case,” Judge Adkin said to jurors, “and particularly where the truth lies about what happened on the riverside pathway.”
Canning admits causing Mr Wilkinson grievous bodily harm with intent – a charge Jenkinson denies.
This afternoon the jury retired to consider their verdicts.